This paper focuses on investigating “combustion instability,” a phenomenon that mainly involves the interaction of the propellant flames with the acoustic oscillations prevalent in full-scale rocket motors. The effect of excited acoustic pressure oscillations on the mean burning rate of solid propellants was estimated over the pressure ranges from 1 to 7 MPa using a window bomb facility coupled with a rotary valve. Both non-aluminized and aluminized composite propellants were used. A rotary valve was used to drive the acoustic oscillations at frequencies of 140, 180 and 240 Hz with the pressure amplitude perturbations ranging from 0.1 to 1.4% of mean chamber pressure. Frequency shift due to propellant combustion was also investigated for both the types of propellants. The acoustic oscillations enhance the heat transfer between the flame and propellant burning surface, altering the mean burning rate. The acoustic pressure oscillations influence the dynamics of aluminum particles and its agglomeration processes, which modifies the mean burning rate. The variations in excited frequencies show a significant impact on the mean burning rate. The burning rate augmentation factor shows that acoustic excitation is more predominant at low pressures and high frequencies, whereas it is relatively marginal at high pressures. The evaluated maximum augmentation factors are 1.45 and 1.51 for nonaluminized and aluminized propellants when compared with those without oscillations.

References

[1] Crump J. E. and Price E. W., “Effect of Acoustic Environment on the Burning Rate of Solid Propellants,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1964, pp. 1274–1278. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.2532 Link Google Scholar
[2] Eisel J. L., Horton M. D., Price E. W. and Rice D. W., “Preferred Frequency Oscillatory Combustion of Solid Propellants,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1964, pp. 1319–1323. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.2539 Link Google Scholar
[3] Price E. W., “Experimental Solid Rocket Combustion Instability,” Symposium (International) on Combustion, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1965, pp. 1067–1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0082-0784(65)80247-8 Crossref Google Scholar
[4] Engler J. F. and Nachbar W., “Experiments with a Solid-Propellant Acoustic Oscillator,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1964, pp. 1279–1284. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.2533 Link Google Scholar
[5] Brown R. S., Erickson J. E. and Babcock W. R., “Combustion Response Function Measurements by the Rotating Valve Method,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 12, No. 11, 1974, pp. 1502–1510. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.49536 Link Google Scholar
[6] Sehgal R. and Strand L., “A Theory of Low-Frequency Combustion Instability in Solid Rocket Motors,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 4, 1964, pp. 696–702. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.2404 Link Google Scholar
[7] Brown R. S., Blackner A. M., Willoughby P. G. and Dunlap R., “Coupling Between Acoustic Velocity Oscillations and Solid-Propellant Combustion,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 2, No. 5, 1986, pp. 428–437. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.22925 Link Google Scholar
[8] Horton M. D., Eisel J. L. and Price E. W., “Low Frequency Acoustic Oscillatory Combustion,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, No. 11, 1963, pp. 2652–2654. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.2134 Link Google Scholar
[9] Brewster M. Q. and Saarloos B., “Unsteady Solid Propellant Pressure Combustion Responses Using a Piston Burner,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2004, pp. 127–134. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.9239 Google Scholar
[10] Horton M. D. and Mc Gie M. R., “Particulate Damping of Oscillatory Combustion,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, No. 6, 1963, pp. 1319–1326. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.1787 Link Google Scholar
[11] Crump J. E., “ ‘Catastrophic’ Changes in Burning Rate of Solid Propellants During Combustion Instability,” ARS Journal, Vol. 30, No. 7, 1960, pp. 705–707. https://doi.org/10.2514/8.5190 Link Google Scholar
[12] Strand L. D. and Brown R. S., “Laboratory Test Methods for Combustion-Stability Properties of Solid Propellants,” Nonsteady Burning and Combustion Stability of Solid Propellants, edited by De Luca L., Price E. W. and Summerfield M., Vol. 143, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, Washington, D.C., 1992, pp. 689–718. https://doi.org/10.2514/4.866159 Google Scholar
[13] Shusser M., Culick F. E. C. and Cohen N. S., “Analytical Solution for Pressure-Coupled Combustion Response Functions of Composite Solid Propellants,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 24, No. 5, 2008, pp. 1058–1067. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.21502 Link Google Scholar
[14] King M. K., “Modelling of Pressure-Coupled Response Functions of Solid Propellants,” Symposium (International) on Combustion, Vol. 19, No. 1, 1982, pp. 707–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80246-4 Crossref Google Scholar
[15] Davenas A., Solid Rocket Propulsion Technology, 1st ed., Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1993, pp. 170–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-14818-3 Google Scholar
[16] Su W., Wang N., Li J., Zhao Y. and Yan M., “Improved Method of Measuring Pressure Coupled Response for Composite Solid Propellants,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 333, No. 8, 2014, pp. 2226–2240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2013.12.003 Crossref Google Scholar
[17] Leibovitz Z. and Gany A., “Investigation of Solid Propellant Combustion Instability by Means of a T-Burner,” Acta Astronautica, Vol. 11, No. 9, 1984, pp. 603–606. https://doi.org/10.1016/0094-5765(84)90033-X Google Scholar
[18] Hafenrichter T. J., Murphy J. J. and Krier H., “Ultrasonic Measurement of the Pressure-Coupled Response Function for Composite Solid Propellants,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2004, pp. 110–119. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.9237 Link Google Scholar
[19] Zinn B. T. and Narayanaswami L., “Application of the Impedance Tube Technique in the Measurement of the Driving Provided by Solid Propellants During Combustion Instabilities,” Acta Astronautica, Vol. 9, No. 5, 1982, pp. 303–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/0094-5765(82)90004-2 Crossref Google Scholar
[20] Salikuddin M. and Zinn B. T., “Adaptation of the Impedance Tube Technique for the Measurement of Combustion Process Admittances,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 68, No. 1, 1980, pp. 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-460X(80)90455-1 Crossref Google Scholar
[21] Baum J. D., Daniel B. R. and Zinn B. T., “Determination of Solid Propellant Admittances by the Impedance Tube Method,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 19, No. 2, 1981, pp. 214–220. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.50942 Link Google Scholar
[22] Son S. F. and Brewster M. Q., “Linear Burning Rate Dynamics of Solids Subjected to Pressure or External Radiant Heat Flux Oscillations,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1993, pp. 222–232. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.23613 Link Google Scholar
[23] Mihlfeith C. M., Baer A. D. and Ryan N. W., “Propellant Combustion Instability as Measured by Combustion Recoil,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 10, No. 10, 1972, pp. 1280–1285. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.50372 Link Google Scholar
[24] Brewster M. Q., Hites M. H. and Son S. F., “Dynamic Burning Rate Measurements of Metalized Composite Propellants Using the Laser-Recoil Technique,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 94, Nos. 1–2, 1993, pp. 178–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(93)90029-3 Google Scholar
[25] Ibiricu M. M. and Krier H., “Acoustic Amplification During Solid Propellant Combustion,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1972, pp. 379–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(72)90008-9 Crossref Google Scholar
[26] Sujith R. I., Waldherr G. A. and Zinn B. T., “An Exact Solution for One-Dimensional Acoustic Fields in Ducts with an Axial Temperature Gradient,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 184, No. 3, 1995, pp. 389–402. https://doi.org/10.1006/jsvi.1995.0323 Crossref Google Scholar
[27] Howard C., “The Corrected Expressions for the Four-Pole Transmission Matrix for a Duct with a Linear Temperature Gradient and an Exponential Temperature Profile,” Open Journal of Acoustics, Vol. 3, No. 3, 2013, pp. 62–66. https://doi.org/10.4236/oja.2013.33010 Google Scholar
[28] Brewster Q. and Son S. F., “Quasi-Steady Combustion Modeling of Homogeneous Solid Propellants,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 103, Nos. 1–2, 1995, pp. 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(95)00075-H Crossref Google Scholar
[29] Kathiravan B., Rajak R., Senthilkumar C. and Jayaraman K., “Oscillatory Pressure Effect on Mean Burning Rates of Solid Propellant Combustion at Low Frequency Conditions,” Propellants Explosives Pyrotechnics, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2019, pp. 369–378. https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201800272. Google Scholar
[30] Jayaraman K., Anand K. V., Bhatt D. S., Chakravarthy S. R. and Sarathi R., “Production, Characterization, and Combustion of Nano-Aluminium in Composite Solid Propellants,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 25, No. 2, 2009, pp. 471–481. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.36490 Link Google Scholar
[31] Navaneethan M., Srinivas V. and Chakravarthy S. R., “Coupling of Leading Edge Flames in the Combustion Zone of Composite Solid Propellant,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 153, No. 4, 2008, pp. 574–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2008.03.016 Crossref Google Scholar
[32] Jayaraman K., Chakravarthy S. R. and Sarathi R., “Accumulation of Nano-Aluminium During Combustion of Composite Solid Propellant Mixtures,” Combustion Explosion and Shock Waves, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2010, pp. 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10573-010-0004-x Crossref Google Scholar
[33] Gnanaprakash K., Chakravarthy S. R. and Sarathi R., “Combustion Mechanism of Composite Solid Propellant Sandwiches Containing Nano-Aluminium,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 182, Aug. 2017, pp. 64–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2017.04.024 Crossref Google Scholar
[34] Rezaiguia H., Liu P. and Yang T., “Flame Response of Solid Propellant AP/Al/HTPB to a Longitudinal Acoustic Wave,” International Journal of Spray and Combustion Dynamics, Vol. 9, No. 4, 2017, pp. 241–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756827717695830 Crossref Google Scholar
[35] Mejia D., Miguel-Brebion M. and Selle L., “On the Experimental Determination of Growth and Damping Rates for Combustion Instabilities,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 169, July 2016, pp. 287–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2016.05.004 Crossref Google Scholar
[36] Jayaraman K., Anand K. V., Chakravarthy S. R. and Sarathi R., “Effect of Nano-Aluminium in Plateau-Burning and Catalyzed Composite Solid Propellant Combustion,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 156, No. 8, 2009, pp. 1662–1673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2009.03.014 Crossref Google Scholar
[37] Sambamurthi J. K., Price E. W. and Sigman R. K., “Aluminum Agglomeration in Solid Propellant Combustion,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 22, No. 8, 1984, pp. 1132–1138. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.48552 Link Google Scholar
[38] Ramohalli K., “Technologies and Techniques for Instability Suppression in Motors,” Nonsteady Burning and Combustion Stability of Solid Propellants, edited by Summerfield M., Price E. W. and De Luca L., Vol. 143, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, Washington, D.C., 1992, pp. 805–848. https://doi.org/10.2514/5.9781600866159.0805.0848 Google Scholar
[39] Hickman S. R. and Brewster M. Q., “Oscillatory Combustion of Aluminized Composite Propellants,” Symposium (International) on Combustion, Vol. 26, No. 2, 1996, pp. 2007–2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0082-0784(96)80024-5 Crossref Google Scholar
[40] Sutton G. P. and Biblarz O., Rocket Propulsion Elements, 7th ed., Wiley, New York, 2001, pp. 528–560. Google Scholar
[41] McClure F. T., Hart R. W. and Bird J. F., “Acoustic Resonance in Solid Propellant Rockets,” Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 31, No. 5, 1960, pp. 884–896. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1735713 Crossref Google Scholar
[42] Ramachandran L. and Gowariker V. K., “The Effect of Acoustic Field on the Thermal Conductivity of Composite Propellants,” Propellants Explosives Pyrotechnics, Vol. 1, No. 4, 1976, pp. 86–88. https://doi.org/10.1002/(ISSN)1521-4087 Crossref Google Scholar
[43] Anthoine J., Jézéquel P., Prévost M., Prévot P. and Casalis G., “Reduction of SRM Pressure Oscillations Through the Use of Fuel Grains with Different Burn Velocities,” 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 2013-4022, July 2013. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-4022 Link Google Scholar
[44] Zanotti C., Carretta U., Grimaldit C. and Colombo G., “Self-Sustained Oscillatory Burning of Solid Propellants: Experimental Results,” Nonsteady Burning and Combustion Stability of Solid Propellants, edited by Summerfield M., Price E. W. and De Luca L., Vol. 143, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, Washington, D.C., 1992, pp. 399–439. https://doi.org/10.2514/5.9781600866159.0399.0439 Google Scholar
[45] Emelyanov V. N., Teterina I. V., Volkov K. N. and Garkushev A. U., “Pressure Oscillations and Instability of Working Processes in the Combustion Chambers of Solid Rocket Motors,” Acta Astronautica, Vol. 135, June 2017, pp. 161–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.09.029 Crossref Google Scholar
[46] Cheung H., Cohen N. and Elias I., “Acceleration of Burning Rate of Composite Propellants by Sound Waves,” AIAA Meeting Paper Solid Propellant Rocket Conference, AIAA Paper 1964-108, Jan. 1964. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1964-108 Link Google Scholar

Journal of Propulsion and Power, volume 36 issue 4 cover

Volume 36, Number 4July 2020

Metrics

Crossmark

Information

Copyright © 2020 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ the eISSN 1533-3876 to initiate your request. See also AIAA Rights and Permissions www.aiaa.org/randp.

Topics

Keywords

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, supported by the Defence Research Development Organization, Government of India. S. R. Chakravarthy, Coordinator, National Centre for Combustion Research and Development, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, has provided facilities and valuable guidance to carry out this work.

Digital

Received24 January 2019
Accepted3 February 2020
Published online28 February 2020

Mean Burning Rate Variation in Composite Propellant Combustion Due to Longitudinal Acoustic Oscillations

Abstract

References

What's Popular

Metrics

Information